Developing an inclusive campaign

In my role as the Senior Communications Coordinator at Harris County Public Health, one of my responsibilities was to lead a public health campaign aimed at controlling mosquito populations and preventing mosquito-borne diseases. This campaign required conveying complex scientific and technical information to a diverse audience, including residents, community leaders, and local businesses, most of whom lacked technical expertise in entomology or public health.

Audience Identification and Outreach

Community Meetings: I organized and attended community meetings across Harris County to directly engage with residents. These meetings were held in various neighborhoods, ensuring accessibility to broad and diverse audience. During these sessions, I worked with the Mosquito and Vector Control Division (MVC) outreach team to ensure plain language and interactive visual aids to explain the life cycle of mosquitoes, disease transmission, and the importance of preventive measures.

Multilingual Materials: Recognizing the diverse population in Harris County, I worked with MasterWord (a translation service) and interpreters to create campaign materials in the top five languages spoken in Harris County, including Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Arabic. A sign language interpreter was also present for the auditory-impaired and disabled. This ensured that deaf and non-English-speaking community members could access crucial information. I also pushed this info onto the website and promoted it on social media.

Collaboration with Local Media: To reach a wider audience, I collaborated with local media outlets, both print and broadcast. I pitched the idea to media contacts and followed up with a media advisory of a press conference including public health professionals and county leadership (including elected leaders) to announce the start of mosquito season. Along with the press conference, I wrote a press release and sent it to the wire through Meltwater, and organized follow-up interviews with public health experts to explain the technical aspects of mosquito control in an accessible manner.

Results and Impact

Increased Community Engagement: My efforts resulted in increased attendance at community meetings, demonstrating that residents were actively seeking information. This engagement allowed for direct communication with the community, addressing their concerns, and tailoring future messaging to their needs.

Multilingual Materials Uptake: The availability of campaign materials in multiple languages led to a more inclusive approach. Many non-English-speaking community members reported that they felt more informed and engaged with public health initiatives due to the accessible information provided.

Media Coverage: Collaborating with local media outlets led to extensive coverage of my campaign, reaching a broader audience than previously possible. This increased media presence facilitated the spread of important information about mosquito control and disease prevention.

Reduction in Mosquito-Borne Illnesses: Over time, there was a noticeable decline in mosquito-borne illnesses within Harris County. This reduction could be attributed, at least in part, to the heightened awareness and adoption of preventive measures among residents, which was a direct result of my successful communication efforts.

In summary, I successfully communicated complex scientific and technical information in a relatable and inclusive manner played a pivotal role in the success of the mosquito control campaign. Through audience identification, inclusive outreach strategies, and collaboration with local media, I effectively conveyed crucial information, leading to increased community engagement and a positive impact on public health outcomes.

RMS_MVCcampaign_report.pdf

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